Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 September 2004

Prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials decreased by 2.4 per cent from August to September. Prices of petroleum and petroleum products and electricity decreased by 1.8 and 5.5 per cent, respectively. The decrease was mainly due to extremely high oil prices in July and August. Mild weather and satisfactory levels in the water depots were the main reasons for the drop in electricity prices. Crude materials increased by 0.6 per cent. Higher prices of metalliferous ores and metal scrap were the main reason for the increase in the former group. Prices of food were totally unchanged this month, caused by lower vegetables and fruit prices and higher prices of dairy products and eggs.

The overall domestic market showed a price decrease of 0.5 per cent. The main reason for this decrease was lower prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials by 3.1 per cent.

The 12-month rate, September 2003 to September 2004: 5.2 per cent increase

The overall 12-month rate showed that prices have increased by 5.2 per cent. The increase was mainly due to higher prices in all the main groups, particularly the development in petroleum and petroleum products and crude materials. Petroleum and petroleum products went up 27.5 per cent. Crude products went up 9.2 per cent, due to increased prices of metalliferous ores and metal scrap and paper. Prices of food increased by 1.6 per cent compared with figures from September 2003, caused by higher prices of fish, sugar, coffee and dairy products and eggs. Manufactured goods increased by 5.7 per cent. The main reason for this rise was higher prices of metals.